Graduate Snapshot - Public Administration: Roanoke Program

Description of Program:

Current and future leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors living in the Roanoke Valley have a unique opportunity to obtain their JMU Master of Public Administration degree through the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) in Roanoke, Va. Using the latest technologies, students receive the same high quality education and one-on-one attention from JMU professors as enjoyed by their Harrisonburg counterparts. Through the Roanoke M.P.A. program students acquire the administrative skills, political savvy, and public service ethic necessary to lead constructive change in their communities.

The M.P.A. degree is the recognized professional degree in public administration and is appropriate for students pursuing public service careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector firms providing services to governments. The MPA program welcomes applications from recent undergraduates and experienced professionals seeking to develop and strengthen a broad set of administrative skills.

The MPA program of James Madison University promotes engaged citizenship and public service responsive to diverse needs and perspectives. The program cultivates effective and ethical analysts, managers and leaders for work in local, national and global contexts.

The Master of Public Administration degree requires 42 credit hours of course work including six credits of internship. The internship can be waived for "in-service" students, those presently employed or recently employed in a substantive position in the public sector. The curriculum consists of a common component, a concentration and a capstone course. The common curriculum enables students to function effectively in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will learn concepts of organization, public management, human resource administration, program and policy evaluation, budgeting, and administrative law.